Saturday, September 22, 2012

Hummingbird Feeders

A bit of a controversy surrounds when to stop feeding hummingbirds
coming to your backyard feeder each fall.

Some people say September 1st, while others claim
it is all right to leave it hanging until the hummingbirds leave.The argument suggests that the hummingbirds
would be encouraged to stay around an artificial food source too long and might
not migrate early enough to survive.

I spotted several female Ruby-throated Hummingbirds in Lake
Park, Milwaukee recently, looking healthy and capable of migrating whenever they
felt like it. They were alternating between loading up on jewelweed nectar for
one minute and resting on branches the next.The scene was mostly peaceful with many fall flowers available, but
a few nectar squabbles broke out anyway.

The Cornell Lab of Ornithology claims the need to take down
feeders early because it discourages a timely migration is a myth.Hummingbirds, like other birds, are
more likely to leave naturally because of the shortening hours of daylight, rather than the availability of food.

They seem to know naturally when to leave for their own good
and no amount of feeder food will encourage them to stick around when it is
time to go.Cornell Lab even
recommends you leave your feeder up for a couple of weeks after seeing the last
hummingbird to supplement any stragglers that may have timed their departure
poorly.

Taking it down or leaving it up, a feeder is largely for our
enjoyment anyway.There is a
female Ruby-throated Hummingbird hovering six-inches outside my window right
now.